Oklahoma County Sheriff

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel mostly about the first State of the State Address from new Governor Kevin Stitt to kick off the 57th legislature.

The trio also discusses the 2019 legislative agenda from House and Senate Democrats and Oklahoma County Commissioner Kevin Calvey gets into a battle with Sheriff P.D. Taylor after he shows up with 17 other people for a surprise inspection of the jail.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Norman Democratic Representative Emily Virgin (sitting in for Ryan Kiesel) about the scandals involving Woodward Republican Senator Bryce Marlatt for allegations of sexual battery against an Uber driver and former Governor Fallin Aide Travis Brauer who is charged with evidence tampering in accusations of taking photos up a woman's skirt during a committee meeting.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel about the state legislature reaching the halfway point in the session, leaders of the House and Senate announce they hope to limit cuts to common education to little or nothing in the upcoming fiscal year and Scott Pruitt faces an investigation by the Oklahoma Bar Association on accusations of lying to a U.S. Senate committee during his confirmation hearing to head the Environmental Protection Agency.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel about Senator Ralph Shortey who resigned his position at the State Capitol after he was charged with three felony counts of child prostitution, 430,000 Oklahomans might have had their identities stolen after a website for people applying for state jobs got hacked & lawmakers reach a deadline for bills to be out of their chambers of origin.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel and Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill about the retirement announcement of Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel amid an audit showing alleged mismanagement of funds at the county jail, President Trump's nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court Neil Gorsuch has ties to the Sooner State and U.S. Senate Republicans change the rules to avoid a Democratic boycott of Attorney General Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel and Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill about State Question 792 to put strong beer and wine in grocery stores as well as looking at any state legislative races which has their attention.

The trio also discusses the race for Oklahoma County Sheriff after an audit of mismanagement for the incumbent and accusations of fake endorsements from the challenger as well as predictions on voter turnout.

Oklahoma County's Board of County Commissioners met Wednesday morning and discussed last month’s investigatory audit of the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office, but ultimately voted to defer a decision until next week. The deferment means a decision regarding Sheriff John Whetsel’s tenure will not be made until after the Nov. 8 election, where Whetsel is seeking re-election for a sixth term.

The state auditor’s office released findings Tuesday from an investigation into the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s office. The findings say the sheriff’s office unlawfully spent department funds under Whetsel’s leadership.

According to the review, the department failed to pay healthcare contracts even though money was available at the time. Auditors also determined Whetsel purchased nearly one million dollars worth of vehicles while other obligations weren’t met.